Not every frying pan is the same. This fact is most obvious when you are making eggs. They are very slippery when raw, but when cooked they become the stickiest food in the world-especially if you use the wrong type of pan. We like delicious omelets, but nothing disappoints us more than silky eggs starting to cover the bottom of the pan, leaving behind a thin, hard layer that cannot be scraped off. This is where high-quality non-stick pans come in. It is an indispensable tool that every home cook needs and is irreplaceable.

Despite the advantages of a multi-function frying pan, certain tasks (such as scrambled eggs and grilling thinly sliced ​​fish) require a dedicated non-stick pan, and it is vital to have a frying pan that you can rely on. But with so many different brands to choose from, it's hard to know where to find the best non-stick cookware. 

Related: According to customers, the 8 best non-toxic cookware for home cooks

We firmly believe that cookware is subjective, and what is best for you may not be best for us, so it's important to evaluate some things before you start buying. Before choosing the non-stick pan that best suits your needs, you need to evaluate its material type, frequency of use, and how you plan to clean and maintain it. If you plan to flip the pancakes every Sunday morning, you need a pan that is light and easy to handle with a slightly slanted side. If you plan on grilling and braising ribs, you will want something deeper on the sides and safe to transfer from the stove to the oven. No matter what you do with it, a good non-stick pan should be durable and easy to handle. The most important thing is that it should conduct and transfer heat evenly without causing any food to stick to the pan. 

After spending too much time scraping an unsuccessful stainless steel pan, we did what any ordinary person would do: We cooked 68 omelets, 51 pancakes, and 48 ounces of salmon in 13 different pans. Find the best non-stick pan. Then, we decided to make the contents of each pot more sticky and melted marshmallows. 

We put the pan into use within a month, and we evaluated everything from weight to price to maintenance and cleaning. We are happy to report that we have found many good options. Most importantly, our exploration reiterates what we already know: if you handle it properly, non-stick pans are a game changer for cooking. 

We tested each pan and evaluated the function of non-stick pans by cooking the stickiest food we could think of: French omelets, pancakes, salmon, and marshmallows. In most cases, we use silicone tools, and only use metal tools when the brand designates their pots as "scratch-resistant". 

For each pan, we have noticed its ease of operation and maneuverability. We also want to make sure that the handle and base of the pan feel balanced so that you don't strain your wrist when you lift it. Finally, we evaluated whether the handle remains cool when using high temperatures, and whether the handle is firm or slippery. 

Each pan comes with a brand promise. For products that claim to be dishwasher safe, we went through a cycle and noticed any changes in functionality. If a brand promises that the pan is scratch-resistant, we will use a metal spatula and pliers to test the claim. 

Purchase: $90 (original price $120) at zwilling.com

Advantages: This pan is the smoothest we have tested, and it easily passes all our tests. It can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but it is also easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth between uses. It is very suitable for large batch cooking. We like the deep side to allow for stewing and frying, which adds versatility that some other pans don’t have. Disadvantages: It can only be used safely in an oven below 300 degrees, so when you transfer from the stove to the oven, please pay attention to the temperature you are cooking. 

The deep side of this sturdy pan makes it the perfect choice for cooking large amounts of food. Without the help of a spatula, the pancakes slip easily in the pan, and the salmon is grilled beautifully without sticking. Even melted marshmallows will not burn and stick together, but will be roasted into golden brown. Considering the depth of the cooking surface, the handle feels surprisingly balanced, keeping it cool even at high temperatures. The PFOA-free coating is completely non-sticky, and the pan itself is scratch-resistant and can be used safely in an oven up to 300 degrees. 

Purchase: Nordicware.com for $55 Purchase: amazon.com for $37 (original price of $52)

Advantages: This is one of the lightest and easiest pans we have tried. The silicone handle feels sturdy and completely non-slip, if you want to transfer the pan to the oven at a higher temperature, we like that it is detachable. Disadvantages: This pot is not compatible with induction, so be careful which type of stove you use it on.

We like this pan because it is very light, easy to use and completely non-sticky. It is also surprisingly affordable. It passed all the tests we passed and is one of the most affordable options on the list. The silicone handle is easy to hold, non-slip, and keeps cool even when we use the pan at high temperatures. Most importantly, the PFOA-free coating is one of the smoothest coatings we have tested. For a dedicated nonstick pan that you can use every day, you can't beat this 10-inch wok from Nordic Ware.

Purchase: $80 on all-clad.com (original price of $100) Purchase: $100 on amazon.com (original price of $150)

Advantages: These multi-function pans are compatible with all stoves, and the safe temperature of the oven is up to 500 degrees. Disadvantages: The handle will be a little hot, so be careful when using high temperatures or transferring to the oven.

This 2-piece set is a great way to add two high-quality pieces to your cookware set. Both pans are easy to hold and operate, and the non-stick coating has passed all our tests. These pans are compatible with all cooktops and can be used safely in ovens up to 500 degrees. Although they can be washed in the dishwasher, All-Clad recommends hand washing these PFOA-free pans for best results. This set has a place in our top five because both pans passed all our tests with ease and the price is unbeatable. 

Purchase: $99 on madeincookware.com

Advantages: This pan is lightweight, easy to use and completely non-sticky. It is oven safe up to 500 degrees and induction compatible. Cons: This pan is slightly more expensive than others. It is not dishwasher safe, nor is it scratch-proof.

This pan performed well in all our tests and is easy to use and operate. Food will not stick, and the pot is easy to clean between uses. The pan is not scratch-resistant and cannot be washed in the dishwasher, so be sure to use silicone tools and clean it by hand. It is made of PFOA-free PTFE and can be used at temperatures up to 500 degrees. Made In offers non-stick pans in various sizes, so if you want to work on a larger scale project, this is a special choice. 

Purchase: Lecreuset.com for $104 (original price of $130) Purchase: amazon.com for $120 (original price of $140)

Advantages: This pot is oven safe, dishwasher safe, induction compatible, and completely non-sticky. Cons: Although this pan is very smooth and easy to use, it is one of the most expensive pans on the list. 

This Le Creuset non-stick pan can be used in dishwashers, oven-safe, scratch-resistant and suitable for all stoves, so it is a versatile pan that performed well in all our tests. The PFOA-free coating produces uniform heat distribution through a smooth and completely non-stick cooking surface. This is a reliable and practical pan that can accomplish many tasks in the kitchen.

This heavy-duty non-stick pan is perfect for making large amounts of scrambled eggs or braising Sunday sauces. The PTFE-free coating is very smooth, can be used safely on all types of stoves, and is safe in ovens up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The only thing that prevents us from ranking it in the top five is the weight-this pot is heavier than the others, so it is not easy to handle. Nevertheless, this is a very sturdy, non-toxic pan, suitable for many types of cooking projects. 

Purchase: carawayhome.com for $95

This pan is one of the lightest and easiest to use of all the options we have tried. It feels light and strong in your hand, perfect for flipping pancakes and omelets. The food is not sticky and it is easy to clean between batches. This pan almost didn't make it into our top five because although the brand advertised it as scratch-resistant, we saw scratches after only a few uses. It is also important to note that this pan can only be used safely in an oven up to 390 degrees and is not compatible with induction.

Purchase: $40 at amazon.com

For people who like to cook a batch of eggs every day, this small pan is a super stylish and practical choice. We like that the handle is easy to hold, does not feel slippery, and stays cool even when used at high temperatures. It is suitable for all stoves and is made of ultra-smooth PTFE and PFOA ceramic coating. It performed exceptionally well in our egg, pancake and salmon tests, but failed the marshmallow test. 

Purchase: $60 at greatjonesgoods.com

Misen's non-stick pans are perfect for any home cook looking for reliable pans at reasonable prices. This pan completely passed the egg, pancake, and salmon test, but failed the marshmallow test. Overall, this is a durable pan, easy to handle, and has a good non-stick surface without PFOA. The non-slip handle is easy to grasp, even when turning pancakes. Finally, we like that this pan is suitable for ovens and compatible with all stoves. 

Purchase: Missen.com for $65

This Sardel frying pan is light, smooth and easy to operate. It performed well in the egg, pancake and salmon tests, but we did notice some persistence in the marshmallow test. We also noticed that the honeycomb pattern on the non-stick surface left marks on the pancakes. Overall, this is a practical and durable pan, but the price is slightly higher than other similar pans we have tested. 

Purchase: sardelkitchen.com for $105 

When it comes to chic and beautiful cookware, Our Place Always pans are unbeatable. We like the versatility of this pan and are confident to use it for steaming, boiling and stewing. However, as a dedicated non-stick pan, this pan did not stand out from the packaging, and we noticed that eggs and pancakes tend to be stickier than we wanted. It is also not safe to use in the oven, which is one of the only obstacles to its versatility. If you are looking for a multifunctional pan that can perform multiple kitchen tasks and look great when performed, then this is the pan for you. If you are a die-hard omelet lover, it is best to choose a different option. 

Purchase: $145 fromourplace.com

This frying pan is made of non-stick aluminum, strong and light. However, the non-stick coating is not as smooth as other coatings, and we found that eggs and pancakes stick to the surface. 

Purchase: $90 at williams-sonoma.com

Calphalon is known for reliable cooking utensils, and this non-stick pan is no exception. We like that it can be heated quickly and evenly from stove to oven (up to 450 degrees is safe). The non-stick PFOA-free interior is smooth and smooth, and it is easy to wipe clean between batches. This pan passed our first three tests, but failed in the marshmallow test. Nonetheless, this is an excellent choice to buy from a reliable brand. 

Purchase: $35 (original price $55) at amazon.com